CHAPTER THREE

Violet’s pov

When the guards had mentioned the arrival of the King and Queen, an uneasy feeling clouded my heart. I knew something was up and I was right.

Someone was getting married.

That night,

I remained silent, adjusting the hem of my gown, forcing myself to blend into the background but no matter how I tried, I was still the oddball of the Blue Moon pack.

Servants whispered amongst themselves, anticipating the arrival of the Alpha, King Logan mentioned was visiting. I didn't catch his name when it was said. I was busy biting down on my lip as Mira crunched her boot on my leg, an old habit she would never grow out of.

Guests from all over the place gathered at the entrance, their faces glowing with excitement. 

Mira stood at the forefront of the podium, beaming with pride as her parents, the Alpha King and Queen, raised their hands to silence the murmurs. 

His Majesty, Lord Alpha Logan spoke in an authoritative voice. “Alas! The Moon Goddess has blessed us!”

I nearly scoffed. But when I felt eyes on me, I forced a laugh and even whooped with the rest of the room.

“Our daughter, Mira,” Alpha Logan continued. “has been chosen as the mate of Alpha Xaden.” 

A round of applause rippled through the crowd. Mira herself smiled triumphantly. 

My stomach twisted at the sheer glee in her expression. As the Handmaid, I had no business caring about matters like that but I couldn't help but pity this Alpha Xaden. Of all the people he chose to spend the rest of his life with, it was Mira. I made a silent prayer for him and watched with the rest of the crowd. 

“His lordship will arrive in a few hours. Let us prepare for his coming!” The King announced.

And by “let's”, he meant me. After all, it was my duty to make sure everything around the packhouse was in perfect condition. 

As soon as the sun went down, the sound of horses and carriage wheels filled the courtyard. 

“His Lordship has arrived!” The Herald announced and everyone bowed their heads including me.

“Alpha Xaden, welcome to the Blue Moon pack.” Lord Logan went to greet the Alpha.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Alpha Xaden replied.

That voice…

“You look like you've been through hell.” 

It was the same voice!

My breath hitched and I forced my gaze up. 

My eyes fell on him and my jaws dropped to the floor.

He was taller than I remembered. His dark hair tousled by the wind, his piercing golden eyes scanning the crowd with the weight of a king. This man exuded raw power, his intense aura dominating everyone in the courtyard.

Those narrowed stares were enough to make one shiver but that didn't make my heart hammer against my ribcage.

It was the necklace around his neck — The same silver chain I had seen on the man that saved me from the cannibals and the tattoo on his arms … They were the same inscriptions I had traced with my fingers the night before when I had surrendered myself to a stranger. 

No.

Oh, hell no!

A sharp gasp escaped my lips and I clamped my hand over my mouth.

He wasn't …

He couldn't be…

It was impossible!

There was no way. I told myself that lie but the truth was as clear as day in front of me and it was standing right before me. 

Alpha Xaden was the man I had slept with.

Panic clawed at my throat and I took a step back, desperate to disappear, desperate to hide myself before he would notice me but he was quick to find me.

His golden gaze caught mine and I nearly screamed.

Something flickered in his eyes, recognition followed by surprise and something unreadable. 

He took a step forward and I quickly bowed my head, hoping he'd dismiss me like any other servant.

I prayed Mira wouldn't notice the way his gaze lingered on me. 

My prayer was answered. He walked past me without sparing me another glance.

After that meeting, I didn't know what any reasonable person would do,  so I made myself disappear for the rest of the day.

I made sure I avoided Alpha Xaden but every time I tried to go away, Mira kept summoning me as though to humiliate me. And each time I served her, Xaden kept staring at me, watching my every move like a hawk. 

The drama went on till evening. The tension snapped in the middle of dinner.

And it began with Mira.

“Violet!” She said my name like a curse and as the humble maid I was, I came running.

“Yes, Your Highness?” I said when I reached her.

I felt Xaden's gaze on me and quickly bowed my head.

Mira snapped. “Oh don't just stand there! Refill my cup!” 

She lifted her goblet, acting like she didn't care. She knew exactly what she was doing. 

My cheeks burnt red in embarrassment as I reached for the wine pitcher. Before I could pour, a deep, commanding voice shattered the moment. 

“That's enough!”

I stilled.

What was…

It was Alpha Xaden.

Mira turned to him, blinking in confusion. “My Lord, what's wrong?” 

Xaden didn't even look her way. His golden eyes were on me. And then in a voice that sent a shiver down my spine, he spoke.

“This charade cannot go on any longer!”

“What?” Mira panicked, her voice, low and hesitant for the first time in her life.

He turned to Mira and hissed in an annoyed tone. “I reject you as my mate, Mira.”

Gasps traveled around the room. Even I gasped. 

Mira shot to her feet even though her parents did the same. 

“What?!” Lady Madeline spoke for the first time that night. 

Xaden ignored her too and stepped forward till he stopped right in front of me. 

His hand reached out for mine in a soft grip. His touch sent a jolt through my body. At that moment, I couldn't think. I couldn't even breathe.

Xaden took the pitcher from my hand and he set it down on the dinner table. 

Then his finger tightened around mine and he faced the room. “My mate is right here.” 

Mira made a strangled noise, her face twisting in rage. “What?!”

Xaden brought our linked hands to his lips and gave mine a kiss. “Violet is the one the Moon Goddess chose for me.”

My brain screamed at me. What the hell was going on here?

The world tilted.

Someone help me!

Mira began to panic. “You're lying! You're - - Xaden, she's just a servant! She’s - -”

“My mate!” Xaden completed the sentence, cutting off her.

“What?”

When he was done, he didn't stay to argue. 

With one last lingering look at me and released my hand and walked away. 

His absence left the room in absolute silence. His final words echoed in my mind making my heart flutter uncomfortably. I was the only one that heard it. No one else had.

It wasn't a warning or a threat but it was a message and I knew he wasn't bluffing when he told me that : 

“I am coming for you soon.”